The Concord based law firm of Rath, Young and Pignatelli has announced the formation of a government relations and public affairs affiliate to be called RYP Granite Strategies. RYP Granite Strategies is an expansion of the law firm's existing government relations practice group, which represents national, regional and state corporations, along with a number of non-profit organizations. Rath, Young and Pignatelli, with offices in Concord and Nashua, NH, as well as Boston and Vermont, has been a leading regional law firm for more than 30 years.

At the recent 23nd Annual Meeting of the Addison County Economic Development Corporation (ACEDC), keynote speaker Don Macke from the Center for Rural Entrepreneurship discussed “The Road Ahead for Rural Economic Development in Addison County”. For a link to his presentation and the Addison County Development Opportunity Profile, go to: https://addisoncountyedc.org/about/news/acedc-annual-meeting-new-board-m....

Vermont Works Management Company, LLC announced today it is welcoming Skip Wyer, a private equity investment specialist, as a partner in the independent alternative investment firm. “Skip’s interest and expertise lies in both private equity investment in agriculture and agriculture technology, or agtech,” said Robert Zulkoski, chairman and managing partner at Vermont Works, adding “This makes him a strong addition to our team.”

“Agriculture and agtech are two investment opportunity sets that are abundant in Vermont, and part of Vermont’s unique DNA,” Zulkoski said.

Spirits of Old Bennington was incorporated in 2014. In 2016, Founder and Distiller Ken Lorenz opened his Tasting Room in the old Vermont Tissue Mill at 1514 N Bennington Rd in North Bennington. Ken, an engineer and project manager, launched the business while still working his day job.

PT360 has two new employees at their employee-owned physical therapy cooperative. JonQ Choi, DPT, received his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from UVM in 2017. He looks at the human body as a dynamic system, aiming to optimize the patient’s ability to learn motor skills and functional patterns. He is committed to creating rehabilitation plans catered to each individual and believes in building positive relationships with his patients to better understand their needs. Outside of work, JonQ is an active member in his church.

Manufacturing Solutions, Inc (MSI), a full-scale contract manufacturing, logistics, and commercial properties leasing company, has recently promoted Tina B Emerson to the position of Business Development Assistant. As MSI continues to grow and expand, the need for support in business development became evident. Emerson began working with MSI in 2016 and has very quickly demonstrated quality work and a desire to be a part of their growing business.

Vermont Small Business Development Center (VtSBDC) State Director Linda Rossi was recently elected to America’s Small Business Development Center Board (SBDC) of Directors. The decision, made by receiving votes from her peers throughout the US at the national conference in Nashville this Fall, means Rossi will serve a two-year term beginning immediately. “This is an excellent opportunity to represent not only Vermont and the New England region, but it also allows a voice for the small, rural states on a national stage,” Rossi said.